The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-06

MIR. Denny's Warm Welcome to the Visitors
and President LavaIlee's Response.
Certainly no better place for holding the
meetings or the Music Teachers National Asso-
citation could have been found than Roberts
Park N. E. Church. While near the central
part of the city it is quiet street, where the
proceedings of the convention will be undis-
turbed by the rattle and bang Of street-car
travel, and the music will not suffer by reason
of noises from without The eleventh annual
convention of the Music Teachers National Asso-
cation opened yesterday morning at o'clock
with a sonata in G minor Top. TO- Dunham) on
the organ by j. G. Batchelder, of Detroit, which
was received with much applause. There were
perhaps not more than 300 delegates then pres
ent. but many arrived later in the day, while
many more came late last night, and others
will arrive to-day. There present in the
audience many persons Of national reputation In
the musical world. Among these were VIM IL
Sherwood the great pianist FL. S. Perkins.
composer; Madame Brinkerhof, the great
seacher Clarence Eddy. of Chicago. organist;
Madame Cappiani, vocalist New York, and
many others
Mayor Denny, who is himself musician,
IhouRh making no pretension, and Is president
IF the Mendelssohn Society. welcomed the ladies
and gentlemen of the association to thisiclty,
and was proud that Indianapolis was the first
Western city that had ever had the honor of
Iuch a meeting, the association having hitherto
always held its meetings further east. He hoped
she sessions would prove interesting and prohta-
BILE, and that this eleventh annual session Will
De fruitful of good results to ALL individually ana
10 the association.
The address OF the president, Calixa Lavallee.
followed. He said that this year marks the
greatest of all the labor of the association. and,
Notwithstanding the success thus far, many
questions yet &c come which demand instant
and thorough consideration. He dwelt upon the
necessity of State organizations and the perfect
ing of the national organization, the safeguard OF
musical welfare lying in the central organization
of power. The age of experimental education
should now be end. Thousands of dol
lars are annually expended for music in the pub
lie schools; in some cases with beneficial results.
in others with none whatever, only go to
prove the unsettled condition of this branch of
art It has also become important part OF
musical policy to consider what is best and httest
in music for divine worship. The theoretical
study of music, a very important branch of mus
ical education, is very much neglected, both by
teachers and students. The tendency of nearly
Rlkstudents is to become brilliant performers and
not profound musicians to seek effect rather
than the approx baton of those who are learned
IN music. This is like learning to speak lam
Euage and not know its grammar. It makes
sopyists not interpreters and deprives the coun-
try of many talented people who would honor 1t
after receiving the proper education
He concluded: I'VE must work together and
aim to put country on the artistic level of
any other. We have entered into communica-
lion with the representative musicians of every
country in Europe, and eratihed that we
command respect in the eyes of the greatest
musical creative artists. We are honored by an
essay from the pen of one OF the most learned OF
England's musicians. 1t the wish of Dr.
Cover to deliver his essay in person, but his
professional duties prevent him from being pres
emit. His good will! and sincerity are, neverthe-
less, with u.s. 1t must be q part of our policy
to become intimately acquainted with the great
est living musicians, for We need their advice
and example in the guiding of our work. Our
ambition is to stand on level with them-it is
not one of rivalry bu. of worthy endeavor The
mission Of all education is to purify. hence the
education to which we aspire is noble and pos
sble."
The various suggestions of the president were
referred to a committee consisting OF Johannes
Wolfram, Of Kenton, o., and Mr. Whitney, OF
Boston, for consideration
Mr.. Perkins of Chicago, x-president, called
attention to the fact that the Mayor, in his ad-
dress was in error to this being the first time
the association had met in the West. 1t met In
Ex-President r. d. DeRoode, of Lexington
recalled that q convention had been held by the
association in Cincinnati In 1879, at which nine
teen States were represented.
The president named the following commit
tees:
On NoninstionsLE M. Bowman. St Louis; J.
Wolfram, Kenton, o.: Silas Plat Chicago
On Resolutions-Max Leckner, Indianapolis; A. A.
btanieg; frovIdsnce arthur Mees; New fo Gill,
Robert Bunner. sProvidence Grant Gleason Chicago
Dougal, Providence; n. Coe Stewart, Cleveland.
Theodore Presser, Of Philadelphia, secretary
and treasurer of the association, submitted his
report, in which he suggested a closer amalgam-
alton of the mem bership and personal acqEaint-
ance with another. he thought that form
er meetings had been too codly intellectual.
He suggested there should be a plan for the
hibiton at the meetings Of everything that may
benefit or teach and that the time had come for
tho association to issue to its members monthly
journal The cash balance in the treasury was
reported at $483 81, with other revenues due
that will increase the amount
Following the suggestion of the secretary
committee on introduction was appointed.
resolution of welcome from the Indiana State
music teachers was read.
Miss Hattie j. Clapper. of New York, sang the
aria Mile Nolta sui Compo" (DoniZettl) with
Prot. Quicken. of New York, accompanist. Miss
Clapper's effort was heartily encored. She
knowledged the demand by singing with great
feeling and expression Becker's ''Springtime."
Heny Harding, OF Binghamton, N Y, read an
essay on ''The Real Things in Music and the
Necessary Preparation for Teaching the Same"
He said it deplorable fact that music is
not scientifically taught as are the other arts.
What the pupil loves to do, and does, forms his
habit A sklllful teacher will glde him in the
right channels Everything the pupil learns to
play should sound we'll him. Intelligent DO
Ing should always precede explaining
Thomas Taper jr.. Of Canton Mass, followed
on the same theme. He held that it was neces
Bary TO present all facts before learner so that
he may perceive a continuity between what has
gone before and what follows A true instructor
will ecourage individuality and honor its charac-
teristics
Madame Octavia Hensel. o. Nashville, in dis
GUESSING the Real Things In Music" made a
number of telling hits. Every teacher" she
said ''knows that theme time rhythm and cor
rect technical power are chief among the real
things, but not every teacher knows how to i'm
part apprehension of these realities where lack
Of brains, false ideas of music. bad examples
followed, sef-conceit. reign supreme. We have
In amateur circles limited monarchy advocates,
where the realm of music is governed by little
mutual ad miration societies The best way to
rid the earth of mutual admiration annoyances
Is TO place mental birthstone of sarcasm handy,
and they'll make a little sulphur lake of their
own which is soon to end in spontaneous COM
bustion In the opinion of many, no intellect
is required to play the piano. You are
fine performer if You make a noise. and news
paper critics will applaud your rendering of a
piece Performers on the piano! The very title
calls up visions of circus ring and tight-rope;
'rendering'-a kitchen affinity for rallow, NUT
ton-fat and lardl In the vocal world a voice
properly placed is Greek TO the amateur public
and the pupil. All they want is TO reach high
G. Bodily and facial contortions are excused. IL